How much do you usually pay for blurays at customs? (1 Viewer)

[Konstantinos]

This question is addressed to either Americans ordering from non-USA countries, or Europeans ordering from USA. (mostly the 2nd)

I live in Greece, and lately something's changed and I think you pay very high prices at customs when ordering from USA.
Someone reported that for a purchase of 2 BLurays from amazon.com of $50 total (simple shipping included) he paid 33euros (= approx. $39) at customs!!

I never had a problem when ordering from amazon, i thought customs was already cleared.
And I dread now at the thought that I would have to pay double the price of everything!

I understand every country has its own regulation and laws, but are these prices the same for you?

 

[bigshot]

We don't pay any duty at all. Those taxes are applied by your government.

 

[David Norman]

In theory importing DVD/Bluray/CD to the US for personal use (not for re-sale) should be customs free though there is some confusion depending on rules you look at (burned media, computer games, Record able Blank Media may have different rules).

I think a year ago the limit for most items was increased from 200 to 800 per day. I've done three recent orders above the $200 level without any problems at all.

I'm not sure many people have ever tested the upper limit. I have tried to get some of the people that have done big Group buys to clarify how they handle it, but I'm not sure even any of them have pushed the $800 limit

 

[Konstantinos]

I understand. Thanks for the replies.
I thought so too that you didn't have any problems, since I haven't seen anyone complaining about the high final price he paid for importing Blurays.

 

[3D Projectionist]

Its still as bad regretfully in the UK harking back to my days buying Laserdiscs. Had a single Blu-Ray delivered with customs bill attached, £4 fees plus £8 Royal Mail handling fee which for my money was ludicrous.

 

[Gunnar Syren]

In Sweden anything costing over $25 (including postage) is liable to be taxed with 25% Value Added Tax plus a handling fee of $15, when imported from outside of the EU. Many shipments slip through, thankfully.

 

[Pictureman]

In Ireland the limit is around 18 euro, including postage, for purchases from outside the EU. Above that, tax and a handling charge could apply though customs would rarely bother with a single disk or two in the post.

Amazon.com have recently been adding import fees at checkout, which you might get back if no charges are levied. I've largely stopped using them because it seems almost every package is now presented for customs clearance by the carriers and liable to charges.

At least that system means the amount Amazon calculated is the maximum you'll have to pay.

 

[Konstantinos]

In Sweden anything costing over $25 (including postage) is liable to be taxed with 25% Value Added Tax plus a handling fee of $15, when imported from outside of the EU. Many shipments slip through, thankfully.

Oh, so it's more or less the same with Greece..

Does anyone know of any European shops that sell US blurays?
I mean, i find from time to time some US blurays in amazon.co.uk.
Maybe other shops that I don't know of have a wider collection of US discs?

 

[Keith Cobby]

I have stopped using amazon.com because I won't pay the extra charge (import fees deposit) at checkout. The last order placed with them was May 2015.

 

[Alan Tully]

I've been lucky, I've never paid any customs in the UK. Here it's a £15 limit (not including p&p), if you go over the limit they then add the p&p costs & charge duty on the lot. For the most part I only order single Blu-rays, & they usually come in under £15, so no problems, I have ordered a few sets & just been lucky.